Combustion pump



Feb. 7, 1928.

H. FOTTINGER COMBUSTION PUMP Filed Sept. 28. 1921 2 Sheets-Shet 1trill/Ill!!!lllflfI/lldl/ I 1 a a I! ll. lit 7 II I I I Feb. 7, 1928.1,658,674

H. FGTTINGER COMBUSTION PUMP Filed Sept. 28. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Patented Feb. '7, 1928.

' UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE.

HERMANN ro'r'rmonn, or zorro'r, nn'nn nnnzre, FREE STATE or DANZIG.

oomisus'rion PUMP.

Application filed September-38,1921, Serial No. 503,824, and in GermanySeptember 30, 1920.

In internal combustion pumps and the like of the type constructed byHumphrey and others, great diflic'ulties are experienced owing to thefact that at higher speeds the sur-. face of the liquid forms a-Isprayor fairly large lumps, which cause -a very unfavourable escape of heat,formation of froth and heavy water shocks.

According to the present invention these drawbacks are obviatedbylimiting the free surface of the liquid to a narrow annular space orclearance of sufficient height and filled with neutral insulating gases.This is attained by covering the remaining portion of the surface by aspecial cylinder or bellshaped floating body, which is freely supportedand carried along by the liquid dur-' ing the whole of the stroke. U

lit is known to use floats for controlling the valves of internalcombustion pumps. In the known arrangements, however, the action of suchfloats was limited to a fraction of the working stroke or the floatswere positively guided by the cylinder walls and consequently thearrangements were totally diiferent from those of the present invention.

It is also known to employ in connection with internal combustion waterpumps, a completely tight fitting plunger or piston which separates theliquid completely from the combustion gases and prevents any contactbetween the gases and the liquid.

The present invention differs from these known arrangements inasmuch asit permits of a free play of the liquid between the float and thecylinder wall, thus maintaining a soft and elastic action between thegases, the float and the liquid, and further by main taining a specialinsulating gas belt between the hot combustion chamber and the liquid.

In the annexed drawings, which form a part of this specification, someconstructional embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

Figure l is a vertical sectional view of a working cylinder and thefloat contained in it.

Figures 1, 1 and 1 represent two modifications of the lower part of aworking cylinder in horizontal and verticalcross sections, respectively.

Figure 2 is a partial section of a modification of the constructionshown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 represents a sectional elevation of a further modification on alarger scale. the float body 4 of such length as to increase 110 Figure4 is a partial sectional View of of auxiliary details disposed betweenthe wall of the cylinder and the upper part of the float.

Similar numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout allfigures of the drawing. l

Fig. 1 shows by way of example, one construction embodying the featuresof the in vent-ion. The level of the liquid to be pumped within thecylinder 1 oscillates-or varies toand fro between the heights Z and mand carries with it, during the whole stroke, the float 4 which has freeplay and has no contact with the wall of the cylinder. The free surfaceof the liquid lies within the narrow annular space between the float 4'and the cylinder 1, which forms partof the clearance space and remainsfilled with ex-.

haust gases or fresh air and consequently cannot assume the combustiontemperature or traismit same. Means for controlling the admission andexhaust of gases to and from the upper part of the cylinder and meansfor igniting a combustible charge therewithin are representedrespectively in Fig. 3 by the poppet valves and spark plug shown at theupper end ofthe cylinder.

According to the arrangement shown in Figs. 1*, L, and 1, favourableresults asregards utilization of the kinetic energy of the inwardly andoutwardly flowing liquid may be attained by arranging the inlet andoutlet conduit portions 7 and 57 of the total liquid flow eccentricallywith regard to the cylinder in such a manner as to cause the liquid toas some a rotary. motion at the entrance into the working cylinder,which is maintained and is made use of at, the discharge in the samesense of rotation fdr propulsion of the out- .going liquid.

It is particularly advantageous to make.

- uid level from the upper explosion space,

dish-shaped extension that is to make the length Z as great as possiblein proportion to the length m of the working cylinder. Accordingly, saidfloat is made of a length greater than the working stroke of the liquidwithin the cylinder and the upper end thereof is projected above thelevel of the liquid to form therearound a narrow annular insulatingzone, which prevents splashing ofthe liquid into the combustionchamberor space of the cylinder. By this means the longest possibleannular clearance space, filled with neutral gases, is produced, whichrenders heat absorption, formation of froth and water shocks quiteinsignificantl The lower position of the float is indicated by thedotted lines. A float of such length may suitably be guided by rollers15 or the like, which may be mounted either in the cylinder 1 (Fig. 1)or in the body of the float a (Fig. 2).

Instead of this manner of guiding the float, an arrangement such asshown in Fig. 3 may be used in which the float is guided by means of'acentral column 37, 3'8wh1ch is capped by the float. The column preferablcarries at its upper end an extension (Figs. 4 and 3) having the shapeof a spider or disk guiding the float which carries a guiding sleeve atits lower end. In tliis'manner an upper guide 30 and a lower guide 17both entirely removed from the direct influence of the gases, as

are obtained. Fig. 3 also shows means, such as the extension 18 andlevers 19, 20 for actuating externally arranged controllingorgearing'devices from the interior of the cylinder by the aid of thefloat.

The 'above'described float guiding means 17, 30 may be further developedin such a manner as to utilize the float body at the same time as ablast or compressor cylinderv for any desired purpose. To this end, the30 may be provided along its edge with a suitable piston packing and thecolumn may be divided by one or more longitudinal partition walls 38(Fig. 5),

' into two or more longitudinal passages or conduits 33, 34communicating with external connections 35, 36 (Fig. 3) for air, gas,combustion mixture, or the like accordin to the At the upper en of thecolumn, an opening serving as a gas inlet and outlet to or from theinterior of the hollow float body. Ihe compressor valves and other partsmay be connected at 35, 36, or, as shown in Figs. 7 L and 8, the guidemember 30 may be so con-' structed as to form a suitable sub-dividedvalve casin for the reception of suction and pressure va ves 46, 47. I

. Both sides of the'float (top and bottom space) may be used as gaspumps, or-one side "may be used asa scavenging and charging pump for theair, and the other side for gas,

31' may be provided,

or as a compressor for any other external use.

In case of very high explosion pressures, the float may be so heavy thatthe buoyancy of the working liquid will barely suflice for supportingthe float. In such cases, some external supporting or carrying force maybe used, in addition to the buoyancy of the liquid, for carrying thefloat. For instance, counter weights, springs, a pressure or awicuuincylinder may be operatively connected with the float by a levermechanism similar to that shown in Fig. 3 for the purpose of liftingsame. The arrangement shown in Fig. 3 comprises an oscillating piston 23connected by the piston rod 22 with. the oscillating lever 21. Thepiston works in the cylinder 2% pivoted at 25 in which a vacuum may beproduced through the connection 26.

Instead of using an external device for supporting or carrying thefloat, a difl'erence of pressure in the upper and lower gas chamber ofthe float ma be, produced in such a manner as to result in an upwardlydirected lifting force which supports the floatduring the greater partof the cycle. This may, for instance, be efl'ected'by throttling the gasdischarge from the upper space .32, or by admitting pressure to thisspace from the outside, by suitable dimensions of the relative crosssections, or by converse arrangements applied to the space below thepiston.

In order to limit the movement of the float and consequently that of theliquid column to be pumped, particularly in the upward direction, theupper part 1 of the cylindermay be given a smaller diameter than thelower part 40 as shown in Fig. 6, whereby a throttling action isproduced in the space 41 between the cylinder and the flange of thefloat 17 which cushions the movement of the float particularly neartheiupper end of the stroke, and if properly arranged reduces thedetrimental effects of any spraying that may occur.

Fig. 9 illustrates another arrangement for gas cushion or bufferproduced by. compression in the float in the manner known in connectionwith steam hammers'or duplex pumps. For this purpose a tubular extensionor sleeve may be provided which retards or prevents the discharge of gasfrom the passage 33 along a certain part of the upward stroke. In thelower part of the float, the guide sleeve 17 may be arran ed to coverthe discharge opening 31 and t us produce a similar cushioning eflect.

The detrimental effects of spraying may be further limited or reduced byproviding in the manner shown in Figs. 10 and 11 prqections, ribs,grooves, labyrinth crests or similar devices, upon the cylinder 1 or thefloat, 4, or both of them, in such a manforced at or near the highestposition of the Lil float, that is during the period of the highestcompression in the combustion chamber, through openings or slits 60 intoan auxiliary lateral chamber 61 in which a'lower pressure exists at thetime being. The liquid may be discharged from this auxiliary spaceeither by. automatic or positively controlled valve members through theconnection 62 and may be used for compressing a small quantity of air,and it may be allowed to return direct' into the working cylinder whenthe pressure in the cylinder drops.

In addition to this arrangement provision.

may be made for allowing liquid to enter and go out through the pipes 62for the purpose of regulating the action of the charm ber 61.

Fig. 14 illustrates an arrangement of the cylinder and float suit-ablefor a two-stroke cycle. In this arrangement the openings for scavengingor charging are shown opening partly or completely into the annularclearancespace between the cylinder and float so that said space is keptpermanent ly filled with neutral gases; the upper part of the floatbeing suitably modified for this purpose. The gas admission and exhaustcontrolling members or valves may, instead of-the arrangement shown inFig. 3, have the form of flat or annular slide valves 72 arranged eitherin separate chambers or in one common annular chamber 71 around thecylinder and may be operated by any suitable means. In this figure theupper part of the float is shown rounded ofl to facilitate the passingof gases.

By this invention the disadvantages of the external combustion pumps orturbines may be reduced to such an extent as to enable the number ofstrokes to be raised from 12 to 15 per minute or to the number ofstrokes of the up-to-date Diesel engines.

The invention represents an importantdevclopment in connection with gasturbines in which an auxiliary liquid is used. Some constructionalembodiments of the invention have been shown for the purpose ofexamples, but what I broadly claim as "my invention is:

1. In an internal combustion pump, the combination with a workingcylinder having means for creating combustion and adapted to contain aliquid to be pumped, together with an inlet and'outlet for the-latter,of a cylindrical float freely reciprocable said cylinder, said floatbeing projected above the level of the liquid sufliciently to formanarrow annular insulating zone adapted to withhold splashes fromentering the com-. bustion chamber of said working cylinder and thelength of said float being greater than the operation stroke of theliquid.

2. In an internal combustion pump, the combination with a workingcylinder including means for creating combustion and adapted to containa liquid to be pumped,

float being projected above the level of the liquid to form th-erearounda narrow zone adapted to insulate the combustion chamber from the liquidand the length of said float being greater than the -working stroke ofthe liquid within the cylinder.

3. A working cylinder for internal combustion pumps containing a. liquidto be pumped and a cylindrical float reciprocable therein, said floatbeing of alength greater than the pulsative working stroke of. theliquid and having its top extended above the level of the liquid so asto provide a narrow annular insulating zone adapted to withhold splashesfrom entering the combustion chamber of the working cylinder, meansconnected with the cylinder for admittingand discharging the pumpedliquid therein, and means for creating combustion therein.

4. The combination with a working cylinder for internal combustion pumpsadapted to contain a liquid andhaving inlet and'outlet means therefor,together with means for creating combustion therein, of a cylindrt calfloat reciprocable in said cylinder in unison, with the pumped liquid,said float being of a length greater than the working stroke of theliquid and guided on a column having tubular passages through whichfluid is admissible and'exhaustible for compression or pumping purposesas the float is reciprocated, the upper end of said column beingentirely enclosed within-said float to provide a piston portioncooperating wtih the walls of the latter.

5. In an internal combustion pump, the combination with a workingcylinder adapted to contain a liquid and having inlet and outlet meanstherefor, together with means for creating combustion therein, of acylindrical float freely reciprocable within the cylinder in unison withthe pumped liquid, said flo'at being of greater length than the fworkingstroke of the liquid and having its top extended above the level of theliquid to provide a narrow annular insulating zone adapted to preventsplashing thereof into the combustion chamber of the working cylinder,and a column on which the ice float is reciprocable, said column beingprovided with admission and discharge passages for fluid and having acircular extensionat its upper end forming a guide for the float andproviding a piston for compressing or pumping fluid admitted thereto assaid float is reciprocated.

6. In an internal combustion pump, the combination of a working cylinderadapted to contain a liquid and having inlet and outlet passages for theliquid, together with means for creating combustion therein, acylindrical float reciprocable within said cylinder, having its upperend projected above the level of the. liquid so as to form a narrowinsulating zone therearound, and means for freely guiding the float inits stroke.

7. In an internal combustion pump, the combination of a working cylinderadapted to contain a liquid and having inlet and outlet means therefor,together with means for creating combustion therein. a cylini lricalfloat reciproeahle within said cylinder in unison with the pumpedliquid, together with a central column having an enlarged top portionproviding a vertical guide. for the float and separate. admission anddischarge channels for gases acted upon by said tmlarged portion -forcompressing or pump ing the latter as said float is reciprocatcd.

8. In an internal combustion pump, the

.COlTtblIltltlOll with a working cylinder adapted to contain a liquidand having inlet and outlet means therefor. together with means torcreating combustion. of a cylindrical dloat 'reciprocable within thecylinder in unison with the liquid, a central column rovlding an innervertical gu de for the oat and having separate adnnssion and dis- Icharge channels lor gases, and a disc-like extensionon the upper end olsaid column forminga balancing guide for the float and acting as apiston for compressing the gases through the reciprocatimis of saidfloat.

9. In an internal combustion pump, the combination with a workingcylinder adapt ed to contain a liquid and having inlet and outlet meanstherefor, together with means for creating combustion, of a cylindricalfloat reciprocable within the cylinder in unison with the liqniddandacting as a piston for compressing the gases admitted through the columnto said float as the latter is reciprocated in the cylinder, a centralcolumn providing a vertical inner guide for the float-and havingseparate channels thereinproviding passages for the admission anddischarge ofgases therethrough, a disc-like extension on the-upper endof said column forming a balancing guide for said float, and valvesprovided in said extension for controlling the admission and dischargefrom the float of the air and gases compressed therein.

10. In an internal combustion pump, the

combination with a working cylinder adapted to contain a liquid andhaving inlet and outlet means for the latter, together with means forcreating combustion therein, of a cylindrical float reciprocable in saidcylinder in unison with the liquid, a counterbalancing air buffer, andmeans connecting said float with said buffer.

11. In an internal combustion pump, the combination with a workingcylinder adapted to contain a pulsating liquid and having inlet andoutlet means for the latter, together with means for creating combustiontherein, of a cylindrical float reciprocable in said cylinder in unisonwith the liquid, guiding means arranged in the interior of said float,and cushioning means for the float combined with said guiding means.

12. In an internal combustion pump, the combination with a workingcylinder adapted to contain a liquid and having inlet and outlet meansfor the latter, together with means for creating combustion therein, ofa cylindrical float freely reciprocated within the cylinder in unisonwith the liquid, said float being of greater length than the workingstroke of the liquid and projecting above the level of the liquid so asto form a narrow annular insulating zone between the liquid and thecombustion chamber of the cylinder, and .a stationary column enclosed bysaid float upon which the latter is reciprocally guided.

13. In an internal combustion pump, the combination with a workingcylinder adapted to contain a liquid and having inlet and outlet meansfor the latter, together with means for creating combustion therein, ofa cylindrical float freely reciprocable within the cylinder in unisonwith the liquid, said float being projected above the level of theliquid so as to form a narrow annular insulating zone between the liquidand the com bastion chamber of the cylinder, a stationary columnenclosed by said'r'fioat upon which the latter is reciprocally guided,and a piston-like float guiding-member secured on the upper end of saidcolumn providing a buffer means for the float.

14. In an internal combustion pump, the

combination with a working cylinder adapt- DR. HERMANN FGTTINGER.

